MAN DIES AS CAR CRASHES INTO PUB
‘Murder’ cop quiz for driver
A MAN died and three other people were injured when a car smashed into a pub smoking area.
Police arrested the driver on suspicion of murder early yesterday morning.
Shocked drinkers said they heard a huge bang before the Nissan Qashqai mounted a kerb and ploughed into the pub at around 12.30am.
The dead man, 36, had been “laughing and joking” with his wife moments before being mown down, one witness claimed.
Police said three others were hurt, one suffering life-changing injuries.
Loud
The arrested 40-year-old man is also being quizzed on suspicion of GBH, death by dangerous driving and assault.
One witness said: “I heard a loud bang and saw there were all these people trapped behind the car. Everyone was in panic, they were trying to remove the driver. I just saw the passenger in the car and she was in a panic too.”
Another pub regular said: “There was no skidding, I just saw a white car buried into the side of the building.
“I was in bed and heard the crash, it sounded like a container falling off a lorry – I don’t think he slammed his brakes on.
“It was a melee down there, by the time I got out there the police and ambulance had arrived.”
A friend of the most seriously hurt man said he was “absolutely devastated”.
The Spinnaker, in Hythe Quay, Colchester, Essex, described as the “friendliest pub on the quay”, had opened early on Saturday morning so rugby fans could watch the England World Cup final against South Africa.